Chapter 21 Chapter Nineteen

"Stupid" Zbyszko had indeed left Bogdaniec with a sad heart.First of all, he felt that his uncle was not around, and he felt a little strange.He had lived with him all the time and had never been separated, so without him he did not know how he would fare along the way and in the war to come.Next, he pitied Jagienka.Although he had gone to his beloved Danusia, he still felt very comfortable and happy with Jagienka, and now he was sad without her.He himself was surprised by Shi's sadness, even a little surprised.It wouldn't matter if he missed Jagienka just like a brother misses his sister; but he found himself thinking about how he had hugged her, put her on horseback, carried her across the river, twisted her braids and put her hair back on. walk in the forest with her, look at her intently, talk to her, and so on.He did all this so naturally and with such pleasure that when he remembered it he forgot that he was on a long journey to Mazovia; and that Jagienka was helping him in the forest. The scene of the fight with the bear.It seemed to him only yesterday that they had gone together to Lake Ozteni to hunt otters.He thought again of how beautifully she had been dressed when she went to the church in Kirsisnia, and he was struck by the sight of such a simple girl dressed like the daughter of a powerful lord. Surprise—all these thoughts came to him, bringing him uneasiness, sweetness, and sorrow. "If I say good-bye to her," he thought to himself, "perhaps I can feel better now."

At last he was afraid of these memories, and wanted to shake them out of himself like dry snow from his cloak. "I'm going to Danusia, to my dearest," he thought. He found that this is the more sacred love.His feet in the stirrups gradually became cold, and the cold wind cooled his blood.His thoughts now turned to Miss Danusia Ubbard.There was no doubt that he belonged to her; but for her, he would have had his head chopped off in a square in Cracow.Then she said before knights and townspeople: "He is mine!" and this word saved him from the executioner's knife; from that time he was hers, as a slave is to his master .Jurand's objections were useless.Only she herself can drive him away, and even then he cannot go far, for he is bound by his own oath.But he thought she would drive him away; on the contrary, she would leave the court of Masovia and follow him to the ends of the earth.So, he began to praise her in his heart.Belittled Jagienka, as if it was all Jagienka's fault for seducing him and distracting his love.Now he forgot that Jagienka had healed old Macko; that the bear would have torn him to pieces without her help; so he was angry with Jagienka, and hoped that Chuan would try to please Danusia in this way. , let him have a clear conscience.

At this moment Hlava, a Czech sent by Jagienka, arrived with a horse. "God bless you!" he said, bowing deeply. Zbyszko had seen him once or twice at Zgotzlitri, but did not know him; therefore he said: "God bless you forever and ever! Who are you!" "Your servant, my lord." "What do you say? These are my servants," said Zbyszko, pointing to the two Turks and the two horses that Sulimchik Tsavisha had given him for the knights. Strong man on the stallion: "These are my servants. Who sent you?" "Mademoiselle Jagienka Zikh of Zgotrilitri."

"Miss Jagienka?" Zbyszko, who had just been angry with her and was still burning with anger, said: "You go back and thank Miss for your kindness, I don't want you." But the Czech shook his head. "I cannot go back. They have given me to you; besides, I swore to serve you all my life." "If they gave you to me, then you would be my servant." "Yes, sir." "Then I order you to go back." "I've sworn it; though I'm a prisoner from Bolaslavitz, and a poor boy, I'm still a 'Wrodichick.'" Zbyszko was outraged:

"Go away! What is this talk?—You say you will serve me against my will! Go before I order my servant to draw the crossbow." But the Czech calmly untied a wolf-skin village cloak and handed it to Zbyszko, saying: "This is also from Miss Jagienka, sir." "Do you want me to break your bones?" asked Zbyszko, taking a spear from one of the attendants. "Here's a bag of money for you too," replied the Czech. Zbyszko was already on the point of hitting him with a spear, but he remembered that the boy was a prisoner, but of "Wrodika" origin, and that he had stayed with Zich only because he could not pay the ransom, so Zbyszko Xiko put down the spear.

Then the Czech leaned over his stirrups and said: "Don't be angry, sir. If you don't want me to accompany you, I'll leave a 'Fourlane' or two and follow you; but I must go, because I have sworn on the salvation of my soul." "What if I order my servant to kill you or tie you up?" "If you order them to kill me, it is not my fault; if you order them to bind me, then I will wait for some good man to untie me, or for the wolf to eat me." Zbyszko made no answer; he rode on, followed by his entourage.The Czech, carrying a crossbow and an axe, followed them, and he covered himself with a shaggy buffalo hide against the cold, as the cutting wind was blowing with snow.The blizzard was getting worse.The two Turks were shivering in spite of their goat-skin coats; Zbyszko himself, as he was not warm enough, looked several times at the wolf-skin-lined cloak Hlava had brought him; A Turk brought him the cloak.

He wrapped it carefully around his body, feeling warm all over his body.He covered his eyes and most of his face with the hood of his cloak, so that the wind could no longer blow him.And now he could not help remembering how well Jagienka had treated him.He reined in his horse, called the Czech over, and asked him about Jagienka and what had happened in Zgortseritsy. "Does Zich know that the lady sent you?" he said. "He knows," Halava replied. "Does he not object?" "He objected." "Then tell me all that happened." "My lord walked up and down the room, and the lady followed him. He yelled, but the good lady said nothing; when he turned to look at the lady, she knelt down and said nothing. .At last the lord said: "Aren't you deaf if you don't answer my question? Tell me; I may agree." Then the lady realized that she could do as she wished, and thanked him. My lord First he blamed her for persuading him; then he complained that he always wanted to do what she wanted; finally he said: "You promise not to say goodbye to him in secret, then I agree, otherwise it can't be done." ’ The lady was very sad when she heard this, but she agreed; and his lordship was satisfied, for the abbot and he were both afraid that she would come to see you. Well, the matter was not over; Sending two horses, my lord will not agree anyway; the lady wants to give me a wolf skin and a bag of money, my lord will not agree at all. But if he refuses, he will not! If she wants to burn the house, my lord And at last I will agree. So I come with two horses, a wolf's skin, and a bag of money."

"Good girl!" thought Zbyszko.After a while he asked: "Then, is the abbot not looking for trouble?" The Czech, a clever attendant, understood what was happening before him, and replied with a smile: "Both of them are careful to keep the abbot secret; but if he finds out about it after I leave Zgotrilici, I don't know what will go wrong. Sometimes he will say The lady yelled, but afterwards he noticed whether she had been wronged. Once, after I saw him scold her, I went to the box and took out a necklace for her. This necklace is very beautiful, even in carat Cove couldn't have bought a better one. She's got the Abbey too, for her own father didn't seem to love her more than he did."

"That's true." "It's true!" They stopped talking and rode forward in the snowstorm.Zbyszko stopped his horse suddenly; for a mournful voice muffled by the wind came from the woods beside the road: "Believers, help God's servants get rid of disasters!" At that moment a man in priestly attire ran up the road and shouted to Zbyszko: "Whoever you are, sir, please help a man in distress!" "What happened to you? Who are you?" asked the young knight. "I am a servant of God, though not yet ordained; the horses that carried my reliquary ran away this morning. I was left alone with my bare hands; at dusk the beasts of the woods will roar, unless you save me, or I'll die."

"If I let you die," replied Zbyszko, "I will be responsible for your crime; but how can I believe that you are telling the truth. There are many robbers roaming the roads, and you may be A road robber!" "You can trust me, sir, and I can show you the chests. There are plenty of men who would give a bagful of gold for what's in here; but I can give you some if you bring me and Those boxes go together." "You tell me that you are a servant of God, but you don't know that people must help others, not for earthly rewards, but for the rewards of the gods. But if the horses have carried all these boxes, how can you now? Is there any?"

"The wolves ate the horse in the forest and left the box; I moved them on the road, just waiting for mercy and aid." To prove that he was telling the truth, he pointed to two suitcases lying under a pine tree.Zbyszko still looked at him suspiciously, for the man seemed dishonest, and his accent suggested that he was from a remote place.However, he did not refuse to help him, and allowed him to ride the horse led by the Czech, with the two light boxes. "May God bless you for your success, brave knight!" said the stranger. Seeing Zbyszko's young face, he added softly: "Grow your beard too," He rode beside the Czech.For a while they could not talk, because the wind was blowing violently and howling in the forest; and when the wind died down, Zbyszko heard him behind him having this conversation with the Czech: "I don't deny that you've been to Rome, but you look like a drunk," said the Czech. "Be careful what you say, lest you suffer eternal damnation," replied the stranger; "you are talking to a man who dined with the Pope on boiled eggs last Easter. Don't mention wine to me in this cold weather; but if If you have a bottle of wine with you, give me two or three sips, and I will spare you a month of suffering in purgatory." "You haven't been ordained. I heard you say that you haven't. How can you spare me a month of purgatory?" "I haven't been ordained yet, but I have been ordained, because they allow it; besides, I carry my absolution and relics with me." "In the box?" asked the Czech. "Yes, in the chest. If you saw all the things in my chest, you would fall to the ground, and not you; all the pines of the forest and all the beasts would fall." The Czech, who was a clever and experienced attendant, looked suspiciously at the peddler who sold the talisman and said: "Have the wolves devoured your horse?" "Yes, they devoured my horses, for they are kinsmen of the devil. If you have wine, give me some; though the wind has died down, I am still cold, from sitting so long by the road." The Czech would not give him any wine; so they rode on in silence, and then the stranger asked again: "Where are you going?" "Very far. To Shiraz first. Will you go with us?" "I must go too. I will sleep in the stables, and maybe the pious knight will give me a horse tomorrow; then I will go farther." "Where do you come from?" "From the rule of the Prussian lords, not far from Marburg," Zbyszko turned away at this and beckoned the stranger to come to him. "Are you from Marlborough?" he said. "Yes, sir." "Perhaps you are not a German? You speak our language well. What's your name?" "I'm a German, and I'm called Sandrus; I speak your language well, because I grew up in Torres, where everyone speaks it; afterward I live in Marburg, and there too. Same. Bah! Even the members of the Knights of the Crusaders understand your words." "How long have you been away from Marlborough?" "I went to the Holy Land, then to Constantinople, to Rome; and from Rome, through France, to Marburg, and from there to Masovia with holy relics, devout Catholics to save their souls , they all love to buy these holy relics.” "Have you ever been to Plotsk and Warsaw?" "I have been to both cities. May God grant long life to those two duchesses! Speaking of Duchess Alexandra, even the lords of Prussia respect her very much, because she is a pious lady; Duchess Anna Janusovna is also pious." "Have you seen her court in Warsaw?" "I saw it not in Warsaw but in Ciechanov. There, the duke and dukes treated me very well and gave me generous gifts, as a servant of God deserves. I Leave them holy things that will bring them the blessing of God." Zbyszko wanted to ask Danusia; but he understood that it would be unwise to trust this humble stranger.So after a moment of silence he asked: "What kind of holy object are you bringing?" "I brought rabbit sin talismans and various sacred objects; there are various sin-free talismans; there are complete sin-free talismans, some for five hundred years, some for three hundred years, some for two hundred years, and some for free Shorter, and cheaper, so that even the poor can buy it to shorten the torments of Purgatory. I have both amulets for the forgiveness of future sins and past sins; Pockets. All I need is a slice of black bread and a cup of water—that's all I need; and the rest I take to Rome, where I can pay for a new crusade. Yes, there are many swindlers with False amulets, false relics, false seals, and false souvenirs; they deserve to be seized by the order of the Pope; but I am framed by the abbot of Shiraz, because my seals are true. Your Excellency, look at this lacquer , tell me, what do you think?" ①The abbot of a Catholic monastery, or abbot, is equivalent to the vice president in a major monastery. "How about the abbot of Shiraz?" "Ah, my lord! I am afraid he is infected with Wycliffe's heresy. If, as your squire tells me, you are going to Shiraz, you had better not let him see me, for I unwilling to lead him to the crime of sacrilege." ①John Wycliffe (1320?-1384), a British religious reformer, had an impact on the development of religious reform movements in various European countries. "That means, plainly, that he thinks you're a liar." "If the question concerned me, I would forgive him for the sake of fellowship; but he has desecrated my holy things, and that worries me, and he will go to hell forever." "What holy objects do you sell?" "It is not for a turbaned man to speak of these sacred relics; but this time, since there are many absolutions readily available, sir, I permit you not to take off the turban, because the wind is blowing again. So you will have to buy one The absolution talisman month n will not count you guilty. Have I any holy thing? I have a donkey's hoof, which was ridden by Jesus' family when they fled to Egypt; it was found near the pyramids. Aragorn The king of ① gave me fifty 'dirks'②. I have a feather from the wing of the archangel Gabriel ③, which he dropped at the time of the Annunciation; I have two quail heads, which are given To the Israelites in the desert; I have the oil the pagans wanted to burn St. John with; a rung of the ladder that Jacob dreamed of; the pearl of St. Mary of Egypt and the key of St. Peter I can't count them all. I'm cold, and your servant won't give me a drink." ①The place name of northeastern Spain, which was a kingdom in ancient times. ② Ancient Venetian gold coins. ③For the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel, see Chapter 1, Verses 26-30 of the Gospel of Luke for details. "If they are true, they are precious relics!" said Zbyszko. "'If it's all true'? Take your spear from your squire and aim it, for the devil is with you, and he's the one who made you think that. Stop him, my lord. , keep it at a spear's distance from you. If you will not suffer bad luck, buy me an amulet; or someone you love will die in three weeks. " Zbyszko was frightened by this threat, thinking of Danusia, and said: "It's not me who doesn't believe you, but the abbot of the Black Robe Sect Monastery in Shiraz." "Your Excellency, look at the seal for yourself; as for the abbot, I don't know if he is still alive, because God rewards and punishes." But when they reached Shiraz, they found the abbot of the monastery still alive.Zbyszko went to see him, and paid for two Masses: one to honor Matsko's health, and the other to guarantee the fulfillment of the peacock-feather vow.The abbot of the monastery was a foreigner, born in Silia, but he lived in Shiraz for forty years, learned good Polish, and was a great enemy of the Crusader Knights.So, having been informed of Zbyszko's plans, he said: "They will be punished more; but I will not dissuade you, for you have vowed on your honor as a knight; the Poles could not have punished them more severely than they have done in this land. Not too much." ① refers to Shiraz. "What did they do?" asked Zbyszko, anxious to know the crimes of the Crusader Order. Folding his hands, the old abbot read aloud the text of "Long Sleep," then sat down on a bench and closed his eyes for a moment, as if concentrating his thoughts; at last he began: "Winzanti of Shamodur brought them here. I was only twenty years old, and had just come from Silia with my uncle Bishop Petolda. The crusader knights attacked the town and set them free. Fire. We can see from the city walls how they beheaded men and women in the market square, how they threw children into the fire. They even killed priests, because they spared no one in their rage. The abbot of the Mikolai Monastery, being born in Nilbro, knew the head of their army, Komto Hellman. He was therefore accompanied by several elders to meet the terrible knight. He knelt down before him. , begged him in Germanic to have mercy on the grandsons of the Catholics. 'Comto' Hermann replied, 'I don't understand,' and ordered his soldiers to continue killing the common people. They also killed the clergy, among them I Petolda, the abbot of the Mykolai Monastery, was tied to a horse's tail. The next morning there was no one alive in the town except the crusader knight and myself. I hid in On a beam of the bell-tower. God punished them at Plovtsi; but still they will destroy the Catholic kingdom, and nothing can stop them except God's own hand to destroy them." ① This refers to a famous victory of King Vladislav Logedek over the Knights of the Crusader at Plovtsi. "In Plovtsi," said Zbyszko, "nearly all the males of our family were killed; but I am not sorry, because God gave King Logedek a great victory, killing twenty thousand A German." "You're going to see a bigger war and a bigger victory," Abbey Fang Wen said. "Amen!" replied Zbyszko. So they started talking about other things.The young knight asked about the peddler of holy relics he had met on the road.He knew that there were many swindlers of this kind who blatantly blatantly deceived those who were easy to be fooled on various channels.The abbot of the monastery also told him that the Pope had several decrees ordering the bishops to inspect such peddlers and punish those who failed to produce genuine documents and seals.The abbot of the monastery felt that the stranger's certificate was a forgery, so he was sent to the bishop's tribunal.If he can prove that he is sent by the Pope, he will not lose.However, he escaped.Maybe he was afraid of delaying the journey, but his escape in this way brought even greater suspicion to himself. The abbot of the monastery invited Zbyszko to stay and spend the night in the monastery; but he would not, because he would hang a challenge on the door of the inn to deny to everyone that Miss Danuta Jurand was the most beautiful and beautiful woman in the kingdom. The most virtuous girl's knight challenge, either on horseback or on foot.But it is not appropriate to hang such a challenge plaque on the gate of the monastery.When he returned to the inn, he called for Sanderus. "The Monastery thinks you a scoundrel," said Zbyszko, "because he said: 'If his certificate is true, why is he afraid of the bishop's judge?" "I'm not afraid of the bishop," Sanders replied, "but of the priests who don't know the seal. I'm going to Cracow, but I don't have a horse; so I must wait until someone gives me one." .At the same time, I will send out a letter, and I will put my own seal on it." "If you show that you know how to write, it will prove that you are not a rustic; but how do you send this letter?" "Tell me a pilgrim, or a traveling teacher. There are many people who go to pay homage to the queen's tomb." "Can you write me a card?" "I will write it, sir, even on a wooden tablet. You can write it any way you want." "I think it would be better to write on a wooden sign," Zbyszko said with satisfaction, "because it won't be torn off, and I can use it later." After a while, the entourage brought a new wooden sign, and Sandrus wrote on it.Zbyszko could not read what was written on the sign; however, he ordered it to be nailed to the door of the inn, under which hung a shield, which was guarded by two Turks in turn.Whoever struck the shield announced that he would fight a duel.But from one day to noon the next there was no one to strike at the shield; and in the afternoon the spoiled knight was about to go on his way. But before he could go on his way, Sandrus came to Zbyszko again and said to him: "My lord, if you hang your shield on the land of the Prussian lords, I trust your squires will put you in armor."① ① means: If the Prussian lords see the shield you hang, you have to be ready to fight. "What did you say? Don't you know that a crusader knight is a priest, and he is not allowed to have a lover or fall in love?" "I don't know whether it is permitted or not. I only know that they were lovers. It is true that a crusader knight cannot duel if he is not himself insulted, because he has sworn an oath to fight only for the cause; but except the priest Besides, there are many ordinary knights from distant countries, who come to the aid of the Prussian lords. They are looking for a chance to fight, especially the French knights." "Oh! I saw them in Wilno, may God allow me to see them again in Marlborough. I need to pluck the peacock feathers from their helmets, because I made a wish—you understand?" "My lord, I will sell you two or three drops of sweat, which St. George shed when he fought the dragon. There is nothing more holy to a knight than this. Take the horse you have allowed me to ride. Bring the horse for this relic; and I will give you an absolution, so that you will not shed your Catholic blood in battle." "Fuck you, don't make me mad. I won't buy your stuff until I know it's real." "My lord, you said that you were going to the court of Masovia. Why don't you go there and ask me how many relics they have bought from me, the princess herself, the knights and girls who are about to marry? However, I also attended their wedding." "What wedding?" asked Zbyszko. "It is the custom before Advent, and the knights marry as soon as possible, because it is expected that the King of Poland and the Prussian lords will fight for the province of Duborzin. Therefore, some of them said: 'God only knows Can I come back.'" Zbyszko was very interested in the news of the war, but even more in regard to the wedding that Sandrus spoke of, so he asked: "Which girls are married there?" "The ladies of the duchess. I don't know if there are any people left in the palace, because I heard the duchess say that she is going to find another lady of the palace." Zbyszko was silent for a while on hearing this, and asked in another voice: "Is Miss Danuta Jurand, written on the board, also married?" Sanders hesitated before answering.He himself did not know the truth; he thought that if the knight had been a little more anxious and bewildered, he would have had a greater influence on him.He will continue to control this knight, because this knight has a group of dignified followers who have everything they need. Seeing Zbyszko's young age, he thought him a generous lord, who did not hesitate to do things, and did not care about spending money.He also noticed Zbyszko's expensive Milanese armor and those tall stallions, which not everyone is likely to have; and then he said to himself with certainty that if he traveled with such a knight, he He will be well received at some nobles' homes, and it will also be a great opportunity to sell forgiveness charms; the journey will be safe and well-fed, which is what he cares most about. So he frowned at Zbyszko's question, raised his eyes, as if trying to remember, and asked: "Miss Danuta Jurand? What is her origin?" "Miss Danuta Jurand of Spychof." "I've seen them all, but I can't remember their names." "She is very young and can play the pipa, and the Duchess loves to hear her sing." "Aha--young--plays the lute--some young girls are married too. The one with the onyx face?" Zbyszko breathed easier. "No, that's not her! Danusia's skin is white and her cheeks are rosy." Sanders listened and replied: "The only one left with the Duchess now is the one who is as black as onyx. Almost all the rest are married." "If you say 'almost all', then not all of them are married. For God's sake, if you want to get something from me, you should carefully recall the memory." "I can remember it in two or three days; I'd better get me a horse to carry my holy things." "I can give it to you, as long as you tell me the truth." At this time, the Czech who had been listening to their conversation smiled and said: "The truth will be known at the court of Masovia." Sanders looked at him for a while, and said: "Do you think I'm afraid of the court of Masovia?" "I didn't say you were afraid of the court of Masovia; but, neither now nor three days from now, you can't escape on horseback. And if it turns out you're a liar, you won't be able to get away with your legs." Run away, and my master will order me to break it." "Of course!" replied Zbyszko. Sanders thought it best to be careful, and said: "If I were to tell a lie, I could have said right away whether she was married or not; but I simply said, 'I don't remember.' If you had common sense, you would see my virtue in that answer." gone." "My common sense cannot be compared with your virtue. Your virtue can only be compared with a dog." "Since you have common sense, why bother barking? I'm not like you. Those who bark alive will cry when they die." "That is certain! Your virtue will not cry when you are dead; it will only gnash its teeth, if it lives to serve the devil and does not lose its teeth." Thus they bickered; , the Germanic said one sentence, and he answered two sentences.Zbyszko, having inquired about the way to Lencica, ordered his servants to continue on their way.Passing Shiraz they came into a thick forest that was almost everywhere; but the roads through this forest were paved with logs, and ditches dug on either side, at the order of King Kazimis.It is true that after his death these roads fell into disrepair during the time of war and turmoil caused by the Narenchi and Grzymarchik; Again the moor was at work, and the axe was at work in the forest; and soon the merchants could carry their goods and travel safely between the important cities.The only dangers are wild beasts and robbers; but against wild beasts they have lanterns by night and crossbows by day; Don't worry. Zbyszko was not afraid of bandits, nor of armed knights; he did not even think of them.But he was anxious and anxious to be at the court at Masovia at once.Would he find Danusia still a lady-in-waiting of the Duchess, or the wife of some Mazovia knight?Sometimes it seemed to him that it was impossible for her to forget him; but sometimes he thought that perhaps Jurand had come to the court from Spiehof and had married the girl to some neighbor or friend long ago.Jurand had told him in Cracow that Danusia could not be given to him in marriage; so it was evident that Jurand had betrothed her to someone else; it was evident that he had made some vow and now he had to fulfill his promise.Zbyszko called Sandrus to question him again, but the German faltered more and more. Prisoner Zbyszko was full of worries as he rode on.He was not thinking of Bogdaniec, nor of Zgotriliti, but only how he should act.First of all, it was necessary to find out the truth at the court of Masovia; therefore he hurried on, stopping only at the houses of the nobles, in the inns, and in the city, to rest the horses.He had always loved Danusia; it was only during the days of Bogdaniec and Zgotrility, when he talked to Jagienka almost every day and admired her beauty, that he did not often think of Danusia.Now he thought of her day and night, and even in his sleep he saw her standing before him with a lute in her hand and a crown of flowers on her hair.She held out her hands to him, but Jurand pulled her away.In the morning the dream was gone, but the nostalgia was greater, and now that he could not be sure whether they had taken her from him, he loved the girl more than ever. Sometimes he feared that they had married her against her will; therefore he was not angry with her, because she was only a child and could not make her own way.But he was very angry with Jurand and Princess Yanusovna.He resolved to serve her consistently; even if he found that she had become someone else's wife, he would get those tufts of peacock feathers and offer them at her feet. Sometimes he was relieved by the thought that the Great War would soon be upon him.He felt that in time of war he would forget everything, be rid of all cares and sorrows.The war seems to be still in the air.The news came from nowhere, for there was still peace between the King and the Knights; but wherever Zbyszko went there was talk of war.The common people had a premonition that the war was about to break out, and some people even said openly: "If it is not to deal with these wolf-hearted Crusader knights, why should we make an alliance with Lithuania? So we must defeat them once and for all, otherwise they will destroy us " Others said: "These crazy priests! They are not satisfied with taking Plovtsi! They are dying, and they want to take the land of Duborun." All over the kingdom preparations were solemnly made; not with the boasting of old days before a life-and-death battle, but with the silence of a great people.不共戴大的仇恨。这个民族长久以来遭受凌辱，终于准备妥当，要对敌人执行可怕的惩罚了。兹皮希科在所有的贵族家里所遇到的人都深信，他们随时都会奉令跨上征骑。兹皮希科不论走到哪里，都看到这些匆忙的准备工作，这叫他很高兴。不论在哪里，人们都只想到马匹和甲胄，把别的心事都扔在一边。不论在哪里，老百姓都在严肃地检查矛、剑、斧、盔和镖枪。铁匠日夜忙于打铁片和制造重甲胄。这种重甲胄，西方那些文雅的骑士举都举不起，但是大波兰和小波兰的强壮贵族却能轻而易举地穿上身。老人们从箱子里拖出一只只装满了“格里温”的发了霉的袋子来，给他们的孩子们出征时用。有一次兹皮希科在一个有钱的贵族皮拉夫的巴多希家里歇夜，他有二十二个强健的儿子。他把他无数的财产押给了洛维契的修道。院，买了二十二套甲胄和同等数目的头盔以及武器。兹皮希科现在认识到必须上普鲁士去打仗，他感谢天主，他的装备很好。 许多人却以为他是一位“伏叶伏大”的儿子；他告诉人们，他不过是一个普通贵族，像他穿的这套甲胄，谁都可以拿把斧头朝着一个日耳曼人狠狠一击就夺了过来，人们听了就更渴望战争了。不少骑士看了那套甲胄，都想要拥有它，一路尾随着兹皮希科，跟他说：“你不要再去夺一套来么？” 在玛佐夫舍，人们谈论战争就没有这么热烈。他们也相信会发生战争，只是不知道在什么时候。华沙是一片平静，宫廷当时在崔亨诺夫，这是雅奴希公爵在立陶宛人侵犯之后重建起来的；旧镇荡然无遗，只留下一座城堡。 在华沙城堡里，兹皮希科受到执政官雅斯柯·梭哈的招待。他是“伏叶伏大”阿勃拉哈姆的儿子，阿勃拉哈姆是在威斯克拉战死的。雅斯柯认识兹皮希科，因为他在克拉科夫同公爵夫人在一起待过，因此他乐于殷勤招待他；但这年轻人在他开始饮食之前，就向雅斯柯问起达奴莎的状况。但他一点也不知道她的情况，因为公爵和公爵夫人从秋天起就到崔亨诺夫去了。在华沙只有一些弓箭手和他本人守卫着城堡。他听说在崔亨诺夫举行过宴会和婚礼，但他不知道是哪些姑娘结了婚。 “不过我想，”他说，“尤仑德小姐没有结婚；尤仑德不到场，结婚是办不到的，我也没有听说过他到这里来呢。有两个骑士团的法师，都是'康姆透'，在公爵那里；一个是从扬斯鲍克来的，另一个是从息特诺来的，还有几个外国客人；在这种情形下，尤仑德从来不会到朝廷里来，因为他一看见白斗篷①就会暴跳如雷。如果尤仑德没有到场，就不会结婚！如果您愿意，我就派一个信使去探听一下，要他立即回来；但是我坚决相信，您将看到尤仑德小姐仍旧是一位闺女。” ①十字军骑士都披饰有十字的白斗篷。 “我自己明天就上那儿去了，但愿天主报答您的善意。等到马匹一休息好，我就走，我非得弄清楚了真相，心里是不会平静的。” 但是梭哈并不放心，他又在贵族和士兵中打听他们听到过尤仑德小姐结婚的事没有。虽然他们中间有几个人曾经到过崔亨诺夫，可是谁都没有听到过一点这方面的消息。兹皮希科倒是放心地睡觉去了。他躺在床上的时候，决定要摆脱掉山德鲁斯；但是后来一想，又觉得这无赖也许对他有用处，因为他能说日耳曼话。山德鲁斯还没有向他说过假话；尽管这个无赖在客店里的吃喝等于四个人的食量，成了一个耗费很大的负担，不过他还会办些事，而且对这位年轻的骑士颇为逢迎。他还会写字，这就胜过了那个侍从捷克人，甚至也胜过兹皮希科本人。因此兹皮希科许可他随着他的扈从到崔亨诺夫去。山德鲁斯听了很高兴，因为他看到，跟有地位的人在一起就更容易取得信任和找到买主。在那席尔斯克停了一夜之后，他们骑得不太快也不太慢，第二天傍晚就看见了崔亨诺夫城堡的城墙。兹皮希科在一家客店里停下，穿着他的甲胄，以便按照骑士的规矩进入城堡。他头上戴了头盔，手里持着矛；于是登上高大的种马，在空中画了十字，就向前驰去了。他刚走了十来步，在他后面骑着马的捷克人就赶拢来说： “阁下，我们后面有几个骑士骑着马来了，他们一定是十字军骑士。” 兹皮希科回马转身一看，只见在他身后约莫半个“富尔浪”的地方，有一队显赫的扈从，为首的是两个骑着良种普鲁士马的骑士。那两个骑士都全副甲胄，每人披着一件绣黑色十字架的白斗篷，头上戴着饰有孔雀毛的、高高的头盔。 “天哪，十字军骑士！”兹皮希科说。 他不由自主地在马鞍上向前探出身子，瞄准了他的矛枪；捷克人一看见这情形，也抓起了斧头。其余的随从们因为都有战争经验，也都准备停当，这倒不是为了战斗，因为仆人是不参加战斗的，而是去测量骑马作战的地位，或者铲平徒步作战的地面。只有这个捷克人，因为是一个贵族，才准备战斗。但是，他原以为兹皮希科在攻击之前会先挑战的，如今看到这位年轻骑士在挑战之前就瞄准他的矛枪，不免感到吃惊。 但是兹皮希科及时恢复了理性。他记得他在克拉科夫附近是怎样贸贸然攻击了里赫顿斯坦，结果招来了种种不幸；因此他提起了矛枪，把它交给捷克人。他并不拔出剑来，就策马向那两个十字军骑士驰去。当他走近他们的时候，他发觉还有第三个骑士，头盔上也插有一簇孔雀毛，又有第四个骑士，不披甲胄，却留着一头长发，好像是个玛朱尔人。他看了一下，断定他们一定是去见玛佐夫舍公爵的使者，因此高声说道： "Praise Jesus Christ!" “永生永世！”长头发骑士回答道。 “愿天主赐您成功！” “也踢您成功，阁下！” “光荣归于圣乔治！” “他是我们的守护神。欢迎您，阁下。” 于是他们相互鞠躬；兹皮希科通报了自己的姓名，说明自己是何许人，纹章是什么，战号是什么以及为什么要上玛佐夫舍朝廷去。长头发的骑士说他的名字是克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克，他正陪几位客人去见公爵；这些客人是戈德菲列德法师，罗特吉爱法师，还有十字军骑士团的客人罗泰林格的富尔科·德·劳许先生，他想见见公爵，特别是公爵夫人，著名的“盖世杜特”的女儿。 他们在谈话的时候，那几个外国骑士直挺挺地骑在马上，偶尔晃一晃戴着饰有孔雀冠毛的铁头盔的头。从兹皮希科的一身华美的甲胄看来，他们以为公爵派来了一个重要人物，也许是他自己的亲生儿子来迎接他们。克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克继续说下去： “那个'康姆透'，或者我们可以称作是从扬斯鲍克来的执政官，现在在我们公爵的城堡里；他向公爵谈起了这三位骑士，说他们很想要来访问他，但是他们不敢，特别是这个从罗泰林格来的骑士，因为他是从一个远方国家来的，他以为撒拉逊人①就居住在十字军骑士团的边界外边，一直在同他们打仗。公爵就立即派我到边界去，引着他们安全地到城堡去。” ①中世纪欧洲人把信奉伊斯兰教的阿拉伯人称为撒拉逊人。 “没有您的帮助，他们就不能来么？” “我们的民族非常憎恨十字军骑士，因为他们非常奸诈；一个十字军骑士会拥抱你、吻你，但他同时也会拿刀子从你背后刺死你；这种行为是我们玛朱尔人所厌恶的。可是任何人都会在自己家中接待日耳曼人，不亏待他，但是在路上遇到他就不会放过他了。为了复仇，或是为了荣誉而这样做的可大有人在呢。” “你们中间谁最有名？” “有一个人，所有的日耳曼人见了他就怕；他的名字就是斯比荷夫的尤仑德。” 年轻的骑士听到这名字，心就跳了起来；他立即决定向这位克罗佐夫尼扎的英德雷克探听他所要知道的事。 “我知道！”他说：“我听到过他；他的女儿达奴大以前是公爵夫人的宫女，后来她结婚了。” 说完这话，他就注视着这个玛佐夫舍骑士的眼睛，而对方却大为惊奇地喊道： “谁告诉您这话的？她还很年轻哩。不错，有时候有些姑娘们很年轻就结婚，但是尤仑德小姐却没有结婚。我是六天以前离开崔亨诺夫的，当时我亲眼见她同公爵夫人在一起。她在降临节期间怎么能结婚呢？” 兹皮希科听了这话，真想抱住这骑士的脖子喊道：“愿天主为这消息报答你！”但是他克制了自己，说道： “我听说尤仑德把她嫁给了什么人。” “公爵夫人想要把她嫁出去，但是她不能违反尤仑德的意志就这样做。她想把她嫁给克拉科夫的一个骑士，那骑士向这个姑娘起过誓，姑娘也爱他。” “她爱他么？”兹皮希科喊道。 英德雷克听了这话，目光炯炯地望着他，笑了一下，说道： “您知道，您太爱打听那位姑娘啦。” “我打听的正是我要去拜访的朋友。” 兹皮希科的脸给遮盖在头盔下面，几乎看不见；但是他的鼻子和脸都非常红，使得这个好开玩笑的玛朱尔人说了： “我怕是冷风把你的脸吹红了吧！” 这一来，年轻人感到更惶惑了，回答道： “一定是的。” 他们骑着马向前走去，沉默了一阵子；但是过了一会儿，克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克问道： “您叫什么名字？我没有听清楚。” “波格丹涅茨的兹皮希科。” “天哪！那个向尤仑德小姐起誓的骑士也叫这个名字。” “您以为我会否认我就是他么？”兹皮希科自豪地回答。 “不必否认。仁慈的天主，那末，您就是那个姑娘用她的头巾包住您的头的兹皮希科了！扈从队从克拉科夫回来之后，宫廷里的妇人们谈的都是这件事，而且她们有许多人一边听一边哭。原来就是您！嗨！他们在宫廷中看见您该多么高兴啊；连公爵夫人都非常喜欢您。” “愿天主保佑她，也为这个好消息保佑您。我听到达奴莎结婚的消息，多难受阿。” “她没有结婚！虽然她要承继斯比荷夫，而且在宫廷里也有的是漂亮青年，可是他们都不敢正眼望她，因为大家都尊重您的誓言；再说，公爵夫人也不许可。嗨！他们真要喜出望外了。有时候他们还拿这姑娘开玩笑哩！有的跟她说：'你的骑士不会回来了！'她就回答：'他会回来的！他会回来的！'有时候他们跟她说，您已同别人结婚了，她听了就会哭。” 这些话使兹皮希科感到非常难受；他也感到很愤怒，因为达奴莎被人家逗得伤心了，因此他说： “我要向那些说我坏话的人挑战！” 克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克大笑起来，说道： “是女人们取笑她的！您要向女人挑战么？宝剑对妇女可也毫无办法。” 兹皮希科很高兴遇到了这样一位快活的旅伴；他就向英德雷克问起达奴莎的近况来。他也问到玛佐夫舍朝廷的规矩，问到雅奴希公爵和公爵夫人。最后他还谈到他在旅途上所听到的关于战争的事，以及老百姓们如何在作着战争的准备，日日在盼望战争。他问玛佐夫舍公国的老百姓是否以为马上会发生战争。 克罗皮夫尼扎的这位继承人并不以为战争就要发生了。老百姓都说战争是不可避免的，但是他听公爵夫人对德鲁戈拉斯的米柯拉伊说过，十字军骑士团现在倒是显得很和好，而且只要国王坚持一下，他们就会把杜勃尔润省归还给波兰；要不就是他们力图把这整个事件拖延到他们准备妥当为止。 “公爵前不久到玛尔堡去过，”他说，“因为大团长外出，就由大元帅接待了他，非常隆重地款待了他；目前这里有几个'康姆透'，其余的客人也就要来了。” 说到这里，他想了一下，然后又说： “人们说十字军骑士到这里来以及上普洛茨克去拜访齐叶莫维特公爵的朝廷，都有一个目的。他们很想使这两位公爵担保不帮助国王、而支援他们；或者说，如果他们不同意帮助十字军骑士，至少也得保持中立；但是这两位公爵是不会那么做的。” “天主也不许可。您会株守家园么？你们的公爵都属于波兰王国！” “不，我们不会株守家园，”克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克回答。 兹皮希科又望了那几个外国骑士一眼，也望了望他们头上的孔雀毛，说道： “这几个骑士是为那个目的去的么？” “他们都是骑士团的法师，也许那正是他们的动机。谁知道他们？” “那第三个呢？” “他是因为好奇而去的。” “他一定是个著名的骑士。” “还用说！三辆装满了东西的马车跟着他，而且他有九个卫士。我很想同这样的一个人决斗呢！” “您不能这样做么？” “当然不能！公爵命令我保护他们。在他们到达崔亨诺夫之前，不能损伤他们一根头发。” “假如我向他们挑战呢？也许他们会要同我决斗呢？” “那你们必须先同我战斗，因为只要我活着，我决不许您同他们决斗。” 兹皮希科友善地望着这年轻的贵族，说道： “您懂得什么是骑士的荣誉。我不同您决斗，因为我是您的朋友；但是到了崔亨诺夫，天主自会帮助我找到一个借口来向这些日耳曼人挑战。” “到了崔亨诺夫，您爱怎么干都行。我相信那里将有比武；那末您就能决斗，只要公爵和'康姆透'许可。” “我有一块牌子，上面写着谁要是不承认达奴大·尤仑德小姐是世界上最有德性和最美丽的姑娘，我就向他挑战；但是不管到哪里，人们看了都只是耸耸肩、笑笑而已。” “因为这是一个外国规矩；而且坦白说，是一种愚蠢的规矩，除了在边界上，我们国内都不知道这种规矩。那个罗泰林格人也企图以赞美他的情人来同某些贵族挑衅，但是没有人懂得他的意思，而且我也不会让他们决斗的。” “什么？他要人家赞美他的情人么？看天主分上免了吧！” 他仔细地望着那个外国骑士，只见那骑士的年轻的脸上充满忧愁；他也惊奇地瞧见这个骑士的颈项上围着一条用发丝编成的绳子。 “他为什么戴那条绳子？”兹皮希科问。 “我也弄不懂，因为他们不懂我们的话；罗特吉爱法师能够讲几句，但也不是讲得很好。不过我想这位年轻的骑士是起过誓而戴那条绳子的，要戴到他实现了某种骑士的业绩为止。白天里，他把它佩在他的甲胄外面，到了晚上，就贴肉佩戴。” “山德鲁斯！”兹皮希科突然叫了起来。 “谨候吩咐，”这日耳曼人一面走来，一面回答。 “问问这个骑士，谁是世界上最有德性和最美丽的姑娘。” 山德鲁斯用日耳曼话把这问话重复说了一遍。 “乌尔利卡·德·爱尔内！”富尔科·德·劳许回答。 于是他抬起他的双眼，叹息起来了。兹皮希科一听见这答话就发起火来，勒住了他的种马；但是他还来不及作答，克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克就把自己的马横在他和这外国人之间，并且说道： “你们不能在这里争吵！” 但是兹皮希科又转身向山德鲁斯说道： “告诉他，我说他是在跟一头枭鸟相爱。” “高贵的骑士，我的主人说您是在跟一头枭鸟相爱！”山德鲁斯像一个回声似地复述了一遍。 德·劳许先生听了这话，便扔下缰绳，脱下了右手上的铁手套，扔在兹皮希科面前的雪地里。兹皮希科向捷克人作了个手势，叫他用矛尖把它挑起来。 克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克带着威胁的神情转向兹皮希科说： “你们不能决斗，我不许你们任何一个动手。” “我并没有向他挑战；是他向我挑战。” “但是您把他的情人叫做一头枭鸟。这还不够么！我也知道怎样使剑。” “但是我并不想同您决斗。” “您非得决斗不可，因为我已发过誓，要保卫那位骑士。” “那我怎么办呢？”兹皮希科问。 “耐心些，我们快到崔亨诺夫了。” “但是那个日耳曼人会怎么想呢？” “您的仆人必须向他说明，他不能在这里决斗；说您首先必须取得公爵的许可，而他也必须取得'康姆透'的许可。” “呸！假如他们不许可呢？” “那末你们总会找到对方的。话就说到这里为止。” 兹皮希科眼看克罗皮夫尼扎的英德雷克不会允许他们决斗，没有了办法，就叫了山德鲁斯来，要他去向罗泰林格骑士说明，他们只有到了崔亨诺夫才能决斗。德·劳许听了之后，点点头表示他懂了；于是向兹皮希科伸出手去，跟对方紧紧握了三下，这是按照骑士的规矩，表示他们一定决斗，不论在什么时候和什么地方。于是他们在显然取得了谅解的情况下，向着崔亨诺夫的城堡进发了，映现在粉红色天空中的城堡塔楼已经可以望得见了。 他们到达崔亨诺夫的时候天还很亮；但是等他们在大门前通报姓名、放下吊桥之后，天已经黑了。他们被兹皮希科的老相识、德鲁戈拉斯的米柯拉伊接了进去。德鲁戈拉斯的米柯拉伊在指挥着一个由少数骑士和三百个著名的寇比①弓箭手组成的警卫队。使兹皮希科大为懊丧的是，他听说宫廷迁到别处去了。公爵为了要对息特诺和扬斯鲍克的几位“康姆透”表示尊敬，为他们在克鲁皮埃茨卡安排了一次盛大的围猎，公爵夫人同她的宫女们也去了，以增加这次围猎的隆重意义。奥芙卡，雅佐科夫的克尔齐里②的寡妇，是保管钥匙的，也是兹皮希科在城堡中认识的唯一的妇人。她看见他很是高兴。她自从克拉科夫回来以后，就把他对达奴莎的爱情，以及里赫顿斯坦事件告诉了每一个人。这些故事使她在朝廷中较年轻的妇人和姑娘中享有名声，因此她很喜欢兹皮希科。现在她想法安慰这年轻人由于达奴莎不在而引起的忧伤。 ①英译本注：“寇比”是波兰的一处森林。居民被叫作寇比（Kurpie），是由于他们的鞋是树皮做的。他们过去都是著名的射手， ②英译本注：即克利斯丁。 “您快要认不出她了，”她说。“她长得大了，不再是一个小姑娘了；她爱您也与过去有所不同了。您的叔父很健吧？他为什么不同您一起来？” “我让我的马匹休息一会儿，就上达奴莎那儿去。我要连夜赶去，”兹皮希科回答。 “去吧，不过在城堡里带个向导去，否则，你会在荒野中迷路的。” 吃过德鲁戈拉斯的米柯拉伊吩咐为客人预备的晚饭之后，兹皮希科就表示他要赶到公爵那里去，并请求派一个向导。骑士团的两个法师因为旅途劳顿，走近那巨大的、把整株的松树当作燃料的火炉旁，说他们将在第二天走。但是德·劳许表示他要同兹皮希科一起去，说是否则会错过围猎的盛会，他非常想去看看围猎。于是他走到兹皮希科身边，伸出了手，又紧握了三次他的手指。